Mike's Shortline Album

[Mike_Walker]

Back in the 1980s, 90s and into the early 2000s I made numerous visits to North America in connection with the railroad atlases I was then producing in conjunction with SPV.  This took me to every state during which I visited numerous shortlines.  In view of the recent postings on RMweb on the subject of these lines I thought it might be interesting to revisit some of them.

 

Sadly, many of the locomotives you will see here (although not the first two!) have long since been scrapped and many of the lines featured either no longer exist or have been swallowed up by conglomerates like Genesee & Wyoming.

I’ll try to add a few regularly, presenting the railroads in alphabetical order.  Please feel free to comment!

 

Aberdeen & Rockfish.  A  47-mile line running between Aberdeen and Fayetteville, North Carolina.  It was founded in 1892 and remains in operation and independent  to this day.  At the time of my visit in 1997, it was being managed by Ed Lewis who was also author of the American Shortline Railway Guide published by Kalmbach.

 

300 and 205 back-to-back at Aberdeen NC with the engine house in the background. 15 May 1997. 300 is a EMD GP18 (b/n 28357 f/n 7660-1) built with a low nose and bought new in 8/63.

 

205 has also spent its entire life on the A&R and is now reputed to be the only GP7 still with its original owner.  Built in 9/51 (b/n 145672 f/n  5086-1) in fact it still has its steam generator in the short hood (although not operational) whilst the engine has reputedly never been rebuilt and still has its original rods and bearings.  At the time of my visit it still sported the factory applied paint albeit, and understandably, a little worn but has since been repainted in the original scheme and currently looks extremely smart.

 

A general view of the engine house at Aberdeen NC – plenty of modelling inspiration there!  The unique 3 way stub switch apparently used to drive the FRA inspectors nuts every time they visited!  15 May 1997.

 

Aberdeen, Carolina & Western.  Also serving Aberdeen, this 140-mile line linking to Star NC, was set up in 1987 to operate the former Norfolk Southern trackage which started out as private logging railroad in the 1880s.  The company remains active today.

 

Typical of the fleet at the time of my visit was GP16 1745 seen at Star NC. 16 May 1997. Built by EMD (b/n 23098 f/n 7533-4) in 9/56 as Seaboard Airline 1925, it became Seaboard Coast Line 1024 and was rebuilt by the Seaboard System as a  'GP16' in 7/82 as SBD 4645 then CSXT 1745 before passing to ACWR still as 1745.

 

A handful of locomotives received Aberdeen Carolina & Western’s attractive dark green and cream livery, among them 3802, a GP38 seen at engine house door at Star NC.  16 May 1997. Built by EMD (b/n 33364 f/n 7060-47) in 11/67 as Baltimore & Ohio 3846,  it became CSXT 2046 then ACWR 3802 in 10/92.

 

The Acadiana Railway is based in Opelousas, Louisiana and was formed in 1990 to operate some 62 miles of former Missouri Pacific track spun off by the Union Pacific after it acquired the MP.

 

Part of its operations include 5 miles of switching in Opelousas which is where we see GP30 3018 inside the Ventura Foods plant on 8 October 2000.  Built by EMD (b/n 28047 f/n 7640-5) in 2/63 for  the Denver & Rio Grande Western, it retained its former number when acquired by the Acadiana whilst gaining this attractive CNW inspired paint scheme.

 

The Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway operates 348 miles from the Pensacola, Florida export terminals, west of downtown, north to Columbus, Mississippi, with trackage rights along BNSF Railway to Amory, Mississippi.  A branch uses trackage rights along Norfolk Southern from Kimbrough, Alabama west and south to Mobile, Alabama, with separate trackage at the end of the line in Mobile.

It was formed in 1997 when BNSF spun off some former Frisco trackage.  Originally part of States Rail and then RailAmerica, it is now a part of the G&W empire.

 

2181, is another GP30 seen at Fountain AL on 12 October 2000. Built by EMD (b/n 27634 F/n 7629-18) in 10/62 as Baltimore & Ohio 6917, it was rebuilt as a 'GP30m' before becoming CSXT 4238.  It then became Kyle 4238 before passing to the Alabama & Gulf Coast.  Sister 2182 is just visible behind.

 

The Alabama Railroad provides service on 55 miles of former L&N track between Flomaton and Monroeville in Alabama although only the southernmost 48 miles are currently operated.  It was created by Pioneer Railcorp in 1991.

 

Alabama Railroad 1614, a GP16, at Monroeville AL on 12 October 2000. Built by EMD (b/n 11501 f/n 6096-7) in 4/50 as Seaboard Air Line 1710, it became SCL 890 and was rebuilt as a 'GP16' in 5/81 becoming SCL then SBD 4756 and CSXT 1802. It passed to Pioneer as 1602 before becoming Alabama 1614.

 

The Alameda Belt Line was a 12½ mile terminal switching line in Alameda, California (south of Oakland) jointly owned by the ATSF, SP and WP which eventually became just BNSF and UP through mergers.  It  last operated in 1998, when its major shipper, a Del Monte cannery, closed. The Union Pacific then operated over the line through trackage rights to serve one remaining shipper until late 2001. 

 

For much of its later life it got by with a single locomotive,  2144 which clearly shows its Santa Fe ancestry  GP7m ex-ATSF 2144, at Triumph Avenue, east end of Alameda yard on 21 July 1992.

Built by EMD as a GP7  (b/n 18885 f/n 6522-5) in 11/53 as Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe 2868, it was rebuilt as a 'GP7U' in 12/78 becoming  ATSF 2144. It was later renumbered ABL 44 and passed to Central California Traction, another BNSF-UP joint property, after closure of the ABL.

[F-UnitMad]

Oh wow this promises to be a Thread to watch!! Brilliant, thank you!!  

[Mike_Walker]

Thanks for the “likes” etc.  More ‘A’s today…

 

Alleghany Railroad.  Founded in September 1985, this operated 149 miles between Erie and Emporium, Pennsylvania, most of it ex-Erie.  It was fairly short lived and was acquired by the Alleghany & Eastern, a G&W property affiliated to the Buffalo & Pittsburgh, in 1992.

 

Alleghany  101 displaying its later identity as Buffalo & Pittsburgh 301 although actually photographed over on the West Coast switching at Albany, Oregon, for the Willamette & Pacific, yet another G&W property.  Shortline locos get around especially when part of the big owning groups.  The EMD GP40 (b/n 34706 f/n7145-73) was built in 12/68 as Penn Central  then Conrail 3242 before becoming Alleghany 101.

 

 

The Alton & Southern is a somewhat obscure switching and terminal railroad operating in the East St. Louis area.  It was a jointly owned by the Chicago & North Western and Missouri Pacific but, as a result of mergers, is now wholly part of the Union Pacific although it retains its identity.

 

SW1500 1510, at Sauget IL with St. Louis’ landmark Gateway Arch visible across the Mississippi River on 21 October 1995. The livery incorporates elements of those of both former parents.  It was built by EMD in 2/70 (b/n 35301 f/n 7190-5).

 

 

Amador Central.  Incorporated in 1904 as the Ione & Eastern, this 12 mile line connected Martell, California with the SP at Ione.  It was acquired by Georgia Pacific in 1988 whose lumber products made up its sole business by that time.  In 1998 the mill and railroad passed to Sierra Pacific becoming the Amador Foothills Railroad. Unfortunately, following the closure of the mill, the last train ran in 2004.

 

It took me nearly a week of phone calls to the railroad before I found them operating a train!  Baldwin S12 no.9 approaches the CA-88 underbridge on its way down from Martell to Ione on 28 July 1992.

 

No.9 finally reaches its destination as it enters the SP yard at Ione.

 

Back at Martell, 9 passes the mill connection off to the right, telephoto shows up track condition.

 

The railroad’s other Baldwin S12, no.10, under repair inside the Martell CA engine house on 28 July 1992. It was built in 1/52 (b/n 75613) as Texas & New Orleans 105 later becoming Southern Pacific 2121. No.9 (b/n 75032 of 5/51) was new to Sharon Steel no.1.

 

 

Angelina & Neches River. Located in Texas, this 15½ mile line was founded in 1900 and links Lufkin to Keltys and Dunagan and remains active and independent today.

 

SW1500 1500 switching at Lufkin TX on 15 August 2001.  Built by EMD (b/n 4630-1) in 11/72 and supplied new.

 

 

Apache Railroad.  Situated in the heart of Arizona this famous railway connected Snowflake (surely the most inappropriate name for a community in the largely desert state!) with Holbrook on the Santa Fe transcontinental main line and a now abandoned line south to McNary, a total of 72 miles, roughly half of which remain active. Its origins dated back to 1917 and it was a logging operation, indeed forest products have made up the majority of its traffic throughout its life.  In the modern era, visitors to the small town of Snowflake would find little evidence of the railway which was headquartered some miles west of town close to the mill, Snowflake was its post office.  Following the closure of the mill in 2012 it was purchased by local interests in 2015 and continues to operate its fleet of immaculate ALCos.

 

Apache 81, 800, 84, 900, 82, a pure ALCo lash-up outside the Snowflake AZ shop ready to work the daily freight up to Holbrook on 10 May 1991.

 

RS36 800 was built new for the Apache by ALCo (b/n 84117) in 9/62, one of a trio, 700, 800 and 900 – they obviously wanted folk to think they were a bigger outfit than they were!

 

84 is a ALCO ‘Century’ C420 built in 12/64 (b/n 3397-3) as Norfolk & Western 415 its nose was chopped during rebuild by GE-Hornell.  Today the fleet has swapped this blue and silver livery for green and white applied in the same style.

 

Next time, more ‘A’s…

 

 

Edited April 7, 2022 by Mike_Walker

[Allegheny1600]

Fascinating stuff!

Thanks, Mike I am really enjoying this.

Cheers,

John

[AndrewC]

Just what I needed. Temptation, and a potentially large rabbit hole to fall down. 

 

Great stuff. Keep 'em coming. 

[CKPR]

Excellent  - a latter day 'Mixed Train Daily' !

[dave1905]

The A&S was built by Alcoa, was owned by the MP and CNW and then the CNW sold its part to the SSW.  As of 2017 it was still an terminal company, although wholly owned by the UP.

[Mike_Walker]

The final batch of ‘A’s.  At this rate it is going to take some time to reach the Yreka Western!

 

The Apalachicola Northern was based in the Florida Panhandle.  It owned and operated a 96-mile between Port St Joe and Chattahoochee, Florida, with a short spur to Apalachicola. It was founded in 1903 and ceased operating in 2002 when the St. Joe Company, its corporate parent, leased its line to the AN Railway, a G&W subsidiary.

 

In its later days it operated a fleet of EMD switchers and small Geeps all well maintained in a smart blue livery.  SW9 711 (18870, 4642-2, 11/53) and SW1500s 713, 718, 719 (34973 4557-2 5/69; 36489, 36490, 4585-3 -4, 8/70), all purchased new, outside the shop  at Port St Joe FL on 14 September 1999.

 

They also rostered three examples of the relatively rare GP15T model, 721 (827039-2 4/83) rests with several SW1500’s and a sister at Port St Joe on 19 September 1999.

 

 

Arcata & Mad River.  Founded in 1854, this was the oldest working railroad in California operating just under 8 miles between Korbel and Korblex in the north of the state.  Originally a logging line, it used a unique 3’ 9½“ gauge until the 1940s. It closed in 1983 following the abandonment of the connecting Northwestern Pacific.  Service briefly resumed in 1994 by the North Coast Railroad.

 

102 stored at Willets CA on 29 July 1992. The GE  44Ton (30464 1950) was formerly Pine Flat Dam Contractors #30464. It was later sold to Sims Metals, Richmond, CA and scrapped in 2004.

 

Arizona & California.  This 190 mile line links Cadiz, CA with Matthie, AZ crossing the Mohave Desert and the state line a Parker.  It started life under the same name in 1903 and came under the control of the Santa Fe two years later.  It was “spun off” by the Santa Fe in 1991 to ParkSierra Rail Group who restored the original name.  ParkSierra later became part of RailAmerica and then G&W.  A 42 mile branch from Rice to Ripley was abandoned in 2010.

 

AZCR 3802, a GP38 rebuilt from a GP40, is seen at Elma WA on the sister Puget Sound & Pacific on 18 April 1998. Built by EMD in 3/69 (34853 7158-31) as a GP40 for the Baltimore & Ohio (3730) it was returned to its lessor in 4/84 and rebuilt by Mid-America Car to 'GP38AC' specifications becoming 3730 in the GATX lease fleet before becoming AZRC 3802.

 

 

Arkansas & Missouri.  Began operating the 140 mile former Frisco line between Fort Smith, Arkansas and Monett, Missouri in 1986 and quickly became a firm railfan favourite on account of its fleet of well-maintained ALCos.  It remains independent but some EMD SD70s have infiltrated the fleet.

 

52 sitting outside the shop building at Springdale AR on 27 March 2004 is an ALCo ‘Century’ C420 (3431-01 12/65) built as Lehigh & Hudson River 23. It became Conrail 2073 then Maryland & Delaware 52 before moving to the AM .

 

30 also outside the shop building at Springdale on 27 March 2004 is an ALCo RS32 (83992 6/61) built for the New York Central as 2031, the number it kept through its Penn Central and Conrail service.  It too then worked for the Maryland & Delaware as its 42.

 

Also at Springfield we see former Belt Railway of Chicago 'Century' C424s 602 (3382-07 4/65), 605 (3450-03 5/66) and 600 (3382-05 4/65) which had just been acquired.  602 has been rebuilt for service as AM 34 whilst 600 serves as a parts source.  I'm not sure what's happened to 605.  On the left is ALCo T6 18 (82320 3/59) originally N&W 19.

 

44, 48, 66, 46, 68, 60, all C420s, emerging from Winslow Tunnel  (the only one in Arkansas) with a northbound train on 27 March 2004. The leading loco, 44, was built in 5/65 (3418-03) as Seaboard Air Line 112 later becoming Seaboard Coast Line 1214 and then Louisville & Nashville 1353.  The others are of either SAL or Lehigh Valley heritage.

 

 

Arkansas Louisiana & Mississippi.  Operates between Crossett, Arkansas and Monroe, Louisiana, 53 miles – it never made it into Mississippi.  Its origins go back to 1908 and it remains operating today although part of, you’ve guessed it, the Genesee & Wyoming empire.

 

1815, 1816, a pair of rare EMD GP28’s, approach Monroe LA with the daily southbound freight on 5 October 2000. 1815 (29632 7755-1) was built in 11/64 for Missouri Pacific subsidiary Kansas Oklahoma & Gulf  570. It later became Texas & Pacific 2000 the number it retained when absorbed into the parent fleet and subsequently in the Helm and VMV lease fleets before passing to the Ashley Drew & Northern as 1815 then to the ALM.  The lineage of 1816 (29593 5670-1 9/63) was Mississippi Central  211, Illinois Central Gulf 9411, West Tennessee 9445 then AND 1816.

 

 

Atlantic & Gulf.   A shortline railroad that previously operated 77 miles of track between Thomasville and Sylvester, Georgia, via Albany. The Atlantic & Gulf was created in 1991 as part of Pete Clausen’s Gulf & Ohio from former CSX tracks and currently exists as part of the Georgia & Florida Railway, a subsidiary of OmniTRAX.

 

Not all shortlines present a corporate image.  Atlantic & Gulf GP9  696 (24848 5586-33 4/59); SW1500s 52 (35295 4565-3 12/69) and 2318 (34492 7139-19 1968); and GP38 2881 gather at Albany GA on 17 April 1999. All ex-NS except 52 which came from the Houston Belt & Terminal.

 

Wearing the Gulf & Ohio group colours, 8274  sits at Albany GA on 18 April 1999. Built by EMD as a GP9 (19764 5373-3 11/54) as Florida East Coast 653, it was acquired by the Illinois Central as 8274 and rebuilt as a GP10 in 10/72.

 

 

The Austin Area Terminal was a short-line terminal railroad headquartered in Round Rock, Texas and operated a 155 mile line from Llano, Texas, to an interchange with Union Pacific Railroad at Giddings, Texas, with a 6 mile branch from Fairland to Marble Falls. The line, which was originally a Southern Pacific Railroad branch that had been operated by Longhorn Railway until the Austin Area Terminal assumed control.  It is currently operated by Watco.

 

Operations were contracted out.  EconoRail 4472, a GP7u  built in 8/51 (14668 6297-2) as CNW 152 and rebuilt in 9/79 as CNW 4472; leads 9055, a ‘GP20m’ built in 1/58 as Milwaukee Road GP9 2377(23536 5545-10) and rebuilt in 1973 as MILW 955 and then Georgetown RR 9055 plus PREX 2047 another GP20 ex-CB&Q, at McNeil TX on 11 August 2001.

[Wendell1976]

Here's a little sidenote about the Arizona and California Railroad: The ARZC(reporting mark) also has trackage rights on the BNSF Railway for 57 miles(91.2 kilometers) from Matthie, Arizona to Downtown Phoenix. The ARZC interchanges with the Union Pacific Railroad in Phoenix.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona_and_California_Railroad

 

Wendell

Idaho, USA 

[PaulRhB]

Thanks for this Mike and the atlas series   

[Mike_Walker]

4 hours ago, Wendell1976 said:

Here's a little sidenote about the Arizona and California Railroad: The ARZC(reporting mark) also has trackage rights on the BNSF Railway for 57 miles(91.2 kilometers) from Matthie, Arizona to Downtown Phoenix. The ARZC interchanges with the Union Pacific Railroad in Phoenix.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona_and_California_Railroad

 

Wendell

Idaho, USA 

Indeed it does - I meant to put that in but forgot!

 

There will be a brief pause for a couple of days before I hit the 'B's.  Other things I need to do.

[PatC]

Wonderful images. Thank you so much for sharing these with us.

[Mike_Walker]

Okay, so let's start on the 'B's...

 

Ballard Terminal.  This 3-mile spur in tucked away in the Ballard neighbourhood of Seattle took some tracking down.  Founded in 1997 , it also operates two other, unconnected, segments in the Pacific North West.

 

EMD SW1 98 outside the office in Interbay, Seattle WA on 27 June 2002 was the sole power at the time.  Built in 1940 (1045 E298-7) as Milwaukee 1619, it later became Seattle & North Coast 52 then   Olympic Railroad 52.

 

Baltimore & Annapolis.  This 6-mile line between Clifford in Baltimore and Glen Burnie MD had its origins in an electric interurban.  Fittingly, its right of way was later used for the Baltimore light rail system.

 

Baltimore & Annapolis 50, a GE 70 Ton (30437 1950) is preserved at the B&O Museum in Baltimore where it is seen on 10 July 1997.

 

87 displays full Baltimore & Annapolis livery despite being on the Carolina Southern at Chadbourn NC on 14 May 1997. The EMD SW9 was built in 12/58 (19298 f/n 4253-1) as C&O 5092.

 

The Bay Line, previously Atlanta & St. Andrews Bay Railway connected Panama City, FL, with Dothan, Alabama, 81 miles plus a 7 mile branch from Campbellton to Graceville, FL, opened as recently as 1971.  It changed its name in 1994 following a change in ownership and has subsequently become part of Genesee & Wyoming.

 

GP38-2 509 and GP38 511, outside the imposing shops at Panama City FL on 18 April 1999.

 

GP38-2 509, bathed  in dappled light, brings a string of pipe cars towards Sherman Yard in Panama City on 19 April 1999. It was supplied new in 5/73 (b/n 72686-2).

 

511 GP38, switching south end of Sherman Yard, Panama City FL on 19 April 1999. Built by EMD (35378 7171-75) in 8/69 as part of a 100-unit order from Penn Central 7749.

 

Beaufort & Morehead.  This terminal line in Morehead City NC has its origins in the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad of 1858.  However the modern operation which started in 1986 under the auspices of the North Carolina Ports was confined to 9 miles between the city and Radio Island with aviation fuel  as its main traffic. In February 2010, the Carolina Coastal Railway took control of the lease and began operating  as the Morehead & South Fork.

 

By the late 1990s the B&M was the last place where you could find Fairbanks Morse locomotives in commercial revenue service in the shape of two immaculate ex-US Army H12-44 road-switchers. 1852 glows in the sun as it awaits passage over the trestle from Radio Island across to Morehead City with the tankers coupled to its nose on 14 May 1997.  It was built in 1/53 (12L676) and survives in preservation in the Age of Steam Collection.

 

The other unit, 1860, H12-44 awaiting the call at Morehead City NC on 14 May 1997. A month younger (12L684) it too survives at the Spencer Shops Museum in North Carolina.

 

An angler ignores the passing of the last commercially active F-M in North America as 1852 crosses the trestle into Morehead City on 14 May 1997.

 

 

Edited April 7, 2022 by Mike_Walker

[F-UnitMad]

Oh yes, the Ballard Terminal is a particular favourite of mine, it featured in 'Model Trains International' magazine (Chris Ellis's independant successor to Airfix Model Trains) along with an HO layout of the line built by one of it's engineers, Steve Olson. The article was based on a web page by Dick Wightman, describing a run on the line in 2004. 

The web page is still up online:-http://www.dickwightman.com/railroad/modelrailroad/btrr/rideonbtrr.html

[Mike_Walker]

2 hours ago, F-UnitMad said:

Oh yes, the Ballard Terminal is a particular favourite of mine, it featured in 'Model Trains International' magazine (Chris Ellis's independant successor to Airfix Model Trains) along with an HO layout of the line built by one of it's engineers, Steve Olson. The article was based on a web page by Dick Wightman, describing a run on the line in 2004. 

The web page is still up online:-http://www.dickwightman.com/railroad/modelrailroad/btrr/rideonbtrr.html

Interesting, thanks.

[steve1]

Hello Mike. Long time no see since the Maidenhead shows!

 

Great images and thanks for sharing. Will keep watching.

 

steve

[Mike_Walker]

More 'B's today.

 

Belt Railway of Chicago.  I’m not sure if this even counts as a shortline or even terminal railroad. As it name suggests it forms a belt around the Windy City connecting with the various main lines radiating from it.  It’s heart is the vast Clearing Yard which is normally hard to “bash” but we were fortunate to be able to arrange to take a SPV tour party round – albeit on a miserable day weather wise.

 

Clearing Yard engine terminal hosts power from just about every railroad serving Chicago, plus some! On 14 September 1990 there were, left to right: EMD GP60 demonstrator EMD-5; Cotton Belt 9703, a production GP60; BRC 531, a SW1500; ALCo ‘Century’ C424s 604 and 601; and ALCo S6 420.

 

471 is what appears to be a superb example of a GP7 at Clearing Yard on 12 October 1995.  However, looks can deceive.  The original 471 (14393 6248-2 5/51) was destroyed by fire in March 1958 and this replacement was built in 6/58 using parts from the first.  It is therefore technically classed as a GP9M by EMD (24739 8055-1) but rated at 1500hp rather than the usual GP9 1750hp and externally exhibits all the spotting features associated with a GP9 of the period.

 

The BRC operated several “cow-and-calf” sets of EMD switchers for hump service including TR4A 502 (10516 4032-A1) and TR4B 514 (10523 4032-B4) at Clearing Yard engine terminal on 7 October 1996.  The pair were built in 9/50 originally as 502A and 504B but were renumbered in 1968.  The TR4 is basically a SW9.

 

The BRC also operated a small fleet of ALCo ‘Century’ C424s built in 1965-66 for transfer service between Clearing and the connecting roads.  600 (3382-05 4/65) and 603 (3450-01 5/66) are seen at Clearing Yard on 7 October 1996.

 

The SPV visit afforded a rare chance to see inside the shops. GP38-2 494, SW1500 531 and TR4B 510 in for repairs on 7 October 1996.

 

 

Birmingham Southern. Provided switching service in and around Birmingham, Alabama, operating around 84 miles of track mostly serving the steel industry and was owned by US Steel.  In 2012 Watco took over the operation which is now known as the Birmingham Terminal Railroad.

 

A pair of EMD SW1001 switchers 218 (72666-1 5/73) and 225 (74642-1 10/74), work Ensley Yard in Fairfield, Alabama on 3 October 2000.

 

370 and 260 cross the NS at Ensley with a hopper train on 3 October 2000.  260 is a regular MP15DC (766014-1) supplied new but 370 has a much more interesting back story.  It is a SW1504 (712675) supplied new to Nacionales de Mexico (8808) in 1973 and later became US Steel 170 before joining the BS roster.

 

The same pair cross CSX at 34th St and enter Ensley Yard. 3 October 2000.

 

652, a EMD SD9 (23932 5555-22 3/58) still in Duluth Missabe & Iron Range livery, its former owner until 1996, switching at US Steel’s Fairfield Works on 3 October 2000.

 

Black River & Western.  This New Jersey shortline connected Lambertville through Flemington to a Conrail connection at Three Bridges, 16 miles, on former Pennsylvania RR tracks.  It was founded in 1961 and offered excursion passenger service in addition to limited freight.  It ceased most operations in 2002 but the passenger operation has since been restored.

 

42 a Santa Fe CF7 rebuild, still in ATSF base livery, at Ringoes NJ on 23 June 1994.  Previously ATSF 2421, it was rebuilt at Cleburne TX in 2/78 from ATSF F7A 252C (13788 3084-A2 5/51).  Hardly a thing of beauty but they served the Santa Fe’s purpose well.

 

752 'Harold T Filskov' is a GP9 with “torpedo tube” air tanks on the roof indicating it had a steam generator and larger water tanks at least when new, it was at Ringoes NJ on 23 June 1994. EMD built it as Northern Pacific 256 (21428 5425-11 2/76), later BN 1879 then Clarendon & Pittsford 752 who’s livery it retained.

 

57 was an ALCo RS1 (76216) originally built for the Washington Terminal  (Washington Union Station) under the same road number.  Ringoes NJ, 23 June 1994.

 

The only steam loco on the BR&W is 60, a 2-8-0 ALCo (69021 1937)  originally owned by the Great Western Railway in Colorado. It was under repair at Ringoes on 23 June 1994.  It is currently undergoing another overhaul which it is hoped will be completed in time for it to return to service some time this summer.

[Johann Marsbar]

11 minutes ago, Mike_Walker said:

Black River & Western.  This New Jersey shortline connected Lambertville through Flemington to a Conrail connection at Three Bridges, 16 miles, on former Pennsylvania RR tracks.  It was founded in 1961 and offered excursion passenger service in addition to limited freight.  It ceased most operations in 2002 but the passenger operation has since been restored.

 

 

 

Still doing freight work from the Three Bridges end of the line, as seen in this one I took in September 2014...

 

 

[jasond]

Nice flickr albums, Johann.  Even an ex-London Routemaster in there ... can't believe I typed that!

Jason

[Allegheny1600]

21 hours ago, Mike_Walker said:

More 'B's today.

 

Belt Railway of Chicago.  I’m not sure if this even counts as a shortline or even terminal railroad. As it name suggests it forms a belt around the Windy City connecting with the various main lines radiating from it.  It’s heart is the vast Clearing Yard which is normally hard to “bash” but we were fortunate to be able to arrange to take a SPV tour party round – albeit on a miserable day weather wise.

 

Clearing Yard engine terminal hosts power from just about every railroad serving Chicago, plus some! On 14 September 1990 there were, left to right: EMD GP60 demonstrator EMD-5; Cotton Belt 9703, a production GP60; BRC 531, a SW1500; ALCo ‘Century’ C424s 604 and 601; and ALCo S6 420.

 

471 is what appears to be a superb example of a GP7 at Clearing Yard on 12 October 1995.  However, looks can deceive.  The original 471 (14393 6248-2 5/51) was destroyed by fire in March 1958 and this replacement was built in 6/58 using parts from the first.  It is therefore technically classed as a GP9M by EMD (24739 8055-1) but rated at 1500hp rather than the usual GP9 1750hp and externally exhibits all the spotting features associated with a GP9 of the period.

 

The BRC operated several “cow-and-calf” sets of EMD switchers for hump service including TR4A 502 (10516 4032-A1) and TR4B 514 (10523 4032-B4) at Clearing Yard engine terminal on 7 October 1996.  The pair were built in 9/50 originally as 502A and 504B but were renumbered in 1968.  The TR4 is basically a SW9.

 

The BRC also operated a small fleet of ALCo ‘Century’ C424s built in 1965-66 for transfer service between Clearing and the connecting roads.  600 (3382-05 4/65) and 603 (3450-01 5/66) are seen at Clearing Yard on 7 October 1996.

 

The SPV visit afforded a rare chance to see inside the shops. GP38-2 494, SW1500 531 and TR4B 510 in for repairs on 7 October 1996.

 

I rather like the BRC! I suspect your visit backstage would be the envy of a lot of native rail fans let alone us.

If I recall correctly, an old “Trains” article stated that the Alco C424’s were ballasted to be very heavy for additional traction, just can’t remember how heavy they were though. I wonder if their current fleet is also ballasted.

[Johann Marsbar]

17 minutes ago, jasond said:

Nice flickr albums, Johann.  Even an ex-London Routemaster in there ... can't believe I typed that!

Jason

 

The worrying thing is that there are considerably less than 10% of my photos on that Flickr site.........!!!

[Mike_Walker]

1 hour ago, Allegheny1600 said:

I rather like the BRC! I suspect your visit backstage would be the envy of a lot of native rail fans let alone us.

If I recall correctly, an old “Trains” article stated that the Alco C424’s were ballasted to be very heavy for additional traction, just can’t remember how heavy they were though. I wonder if their current fleet is also ballasted.

Even better was the time we visited GM at London, Ontario - the only time an "enthusiast" group had been allowed in.  They did it as a "thank you" for all the Class 66s they were building for the UK which saved the plant from closure - although as it turned out, postponed closure would be more accurate.  Sadly, we were not allowed to take pictures within the plant but it was a fascinating visit.

 

Yes, those C424s were ballasted as were the GP38-2s for working on the humps.  Not sure, but it wouldn't surprise me if some of the current fleet are too given the duties they are called upon to perform.

[Wendell1976]

Mike Walker, are you going to add more railroads for the letter B? I know of a "B" railroad that's a local.

 

Wendell

Idaho, USA 

[Mike_Walker]

Last group of 'B's in my collection.

 

Blacklands Railroad.  Named for the “black gumbo” prominent in portions of east Texas, this operates some 65 miles of former Cotton Belt track between Mount Pleasant and Greenville, Texas with its headquarters at Sulphur Springs.  It began operations in 1999 taking over from the failed East Texas Central which operated the line between 1996 and 1999.  In 2010 it expanded to operate another shortline, The Henderson-Overton Branch (HOB), that stretched from Overton, Texas to Henderson, Texas and further diversified in 2014 by creating a subsidiary, Black Gold Terminals, that specializes in transloading, contract switching, and industrial rail parks. In 2019, it opened a locomotive shop in Longview, TX along with Blacklands Locomotive Services to provide repair and maintenance services to locomotive owners at a great value. To top it off, the Blacklands Railroad was awarded the Short Line Railroad of the Year in 2011 by Railway Age.

 

Having started with a GP9, a pair of former Magma Copper ALCO late-model RS3s were acquired in 2000.  2 (81389 7/55) was at Sulphur Springs TX on 14 August 2001.

 

 

Sister 3 (81288 7/55) was also at Sulphur Springs at the same time.  Both later passed to the Oklahoma Railroad Museum although 3 was used a parts source for 2.

 

Blue Mountain & Reading.  This fascinating operation was founded in 1983 by Andy Muller to operate the 14-mile former Pennsylvania Railroad line between Temple in Reading and Hamburg, Pennsylvania.  In addition to regular freight service, the line also offer excursion passenger services with both diesel and steam traction.  In 1990 the BM&R expanded, taking on 150-miles of track in north eastern Pennsylvania changing its name to the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern, or more commonly the Reading & Northern.  Passenger services ended in the mid-nineties.

 

601 a former Santa Fe CF7 , ex-ATSF 2446 nee-F7A 261C (13732 3095-A6 8/51) rebuilt 8/77, in South Hamburg yard on 27 June 1987.

 

The BM&R had two operational steam locomotives.  Here Gulf Mobile & Northern  425, a 4-6-2 Baldwin (60339 1/28) is standing on the siding at Temple PA as RDG 2102, a 4-8-4 built in the Reading’s own shops in 1945, draws forward on 28 June 1987.

 

Among the historic diesels on the line were former Pennsylvania Railroad E8As 5898 (13113 6181-A13 3/51) and 5706A (16775 2054-A7 10/52)seen southbound crossing the Maiden Creek Viaduct on 27 June 1987.

 

The Reading Company Technical & Historical Society also kept its locos on the line and here we have Reading ALCo ‘Century’ C630 5308 (3487-2 9/67) and EMD GP30 5513 (27114 7617-1 3/62) sitting in front of the former Reading Company shop building on 27 June 1987.

 

Blue Mountain.  Despite the similarity in name, this shortline is on the other side of the continent in Washington state.  It connects with the UP at Zanger Junction on the Culumbia River south of the "Tri-Cities" and runs through Walla Walla to Dayton, 30 miles, plus a lengthy branch south from Walla Walla to Weston, Oregon.  It started operations in 1992 and was affiliated with the Palouse River Railway.  Today it is known as the Columbia-Walla Walla Railway and is part of the Columbia Rail System.

 

Blue Mountain 784 is an EMD GP35 (28400 7662-3 11/63) ex-UP 784 nee-WP 3003, seen at Walla Walla WA on 24 April 1998.

 

Buffalo & Pittsburgh.  This major system extends from Buffalo Creek, New York, to Eidenau, Pennsylvania, 255 miles together with a further 25 miles on CSX to New Castle, PA.  There are several branches amounting to a total of more than 400 miles for the whole system.  It started operations on the former CSX (B&O) tracks in 1988 and has been a part of Genesee  & Wyoming from the outset.

 

BPRR 922, a former  Norfolk & Western EMD GP18 (24931 5609-8 12/59) at Brooks Ave. Yard in Rochester NY on 2 October 2001.  This is actually on the closely affiliated Rochester & Southern.

 

Dazzlingly fresh in G&W corporate livery, EMD SD45 454 awaits collection from the PNC Shops in Mt Vernon IL  on 22 October 1995. New as Cotton Belt 9059 (34427 7140-8 3/69) it was latterly SP 7563.

 

Buffalo Southern Railroad.  This is a locally owned shortline railroad company. Located in Western New York State, the mainline of the BSOR runs southward out of Buffalo towards Jamestown on a segment of 32 miles.  The line is former Erie RR trackage and shortline operations started in 1982.

 

It is one of those special places that still employs ALCo power.  5010 a RS11 (83689 5/1961) originally Delaware & Hudson 5010 is seen at Eden Center NY, the line’s HQ, in September 1998.

 

105 a S-2 (76764 5/1949) formerly South Buffalo 105 and originally Lehigh Valley 165 at Hamburg NY on 1 October 2001.

 

Whilst most of its locomotives wear the attractive green livery, ‘Century’ C420 2010 (3384-1 7/1964) was still wearing the livery of its previous owner, the New York Susquehanna & Western when snapped at Eden Center in September 1998. Before the NYSW, it was Virginia & Maryland 202and originally Long Island RR 221.

 

[Barclay]

Absolutely loving these - great photography and the subject matter is superb !